Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Lords of Discipline

The Lords of Discipline
The Lords of Discipline
Author: Pat Conroy
ISBN-13: 9780553381566
ISBN-10: 0553381563
Publication Date: 10/2002
Pages: 576
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 28

4.2 stars, based on 28 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

14 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Lords of Discipline on
Helpful Score: 1
This book was absolutely fantastic! I read it second to The Prince of Tides and am even more in love with Pat Conroy's work. He brings out the South that us Southerner's both love and hate in our world. Each character in the novel becomes a powerful voice to learn from and respect with their individual nature and beauty. Bottom line, if you're looking for some intense Southern literature with a little military appreciation in the mix, check out The Lords of Discipline.
Hophead avatar reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 285 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Conroy is a national treasure and this book is no exception. He shines a light into the world of military academies and I fell in love with the characters he developed. This is one of the Great American Novels. My highest recommendation.
ferretlover avatar reviewed The Lords of Discipline on
The breathtaking novel of 4 cadets who become bloodbrothers.
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 49 more book reviews
an unusual, but perfect coming-of-age book. Conroy is raw and passionate in his disgorging of his education and youth. One of my favorite books.
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 87 more book reviews
Excellent story of the Citidel. Read it slowly. Pat Conroy has a rythem to his words that you will miss if you speed read it.
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 7 more book reviews
powerful, passionate, and humorous
leilers avatar reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 2 more book reviews
From the back of the book:

Here is Pat Conroy's powerful, captivating and highly acclaimed bestseller. He sweeps us into the turbulent world of four young men - friends, cadets and bloodbrothers - and their days of hazing, heartbreak, pride and betrayal. We go deeply into the heart of the novel's hero, Will McLean, a rebellious outsider with his own personal code of honor, who is battling into manhood the hard way. Immersed in a poignant love affair with a haunting beauty, Will must boldly confront the terrifying injustice of a corrupt institution as he struggles to expose a mysterious group known as "The Ten."
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 141 more book reviews
This book's content and summary has been well covered by other readers in PBS. I just want to say that there is no other author I favor over Pat Conroy. He is simply the best and his descriptions of life in the south are on point and border on prose. He draws me into this story so deeply that I feel I am actually on the scene just dreading the evil that I know will evently present itself. This story is very powerful and very tragic. Our main character overcomes, but is clearly marked for life with his experiences at the military school (the Citadel)he attends for his college education. I finished this book two days ago and I am still thinking about it. Read it.
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 25 more book reviews
this is a great older story set in South Carolina. pat Conroy went to the Citidal, and obviously that influenced this story. Great characters.
chesse avatar reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 135 more book reviews
Great read. Excellent wordsmith
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 4 more book reviews
*****
I am a huge Pat Conroy fan. He delivers with all his novels. Being a baby boomer, his
descriptions are of film/tv era. You'll like all his novels.
bamacarla avatar reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 12 more book reviews
As a person who has had a fair amount of experience with The Citadel, I can tell you that Pat Conroy's descriptions are very accurate, particularly for the time frame. How many times have you heard a soldier talk about how it was so much harder back in "the old Army"? That's because it's true across the board, even when it comes down to military schools.
One thing I love about Pat Conroy is that even though his work is fictional, he writes from experience. He did graduate from The Citadel (or, the Carolina Military Institute, as it is named in the book) during a time when integration was just getting its start in the South, so I can only assume that he probably saw scenes very similar to some of the harsh ones depicted in the novel.
Fans of military stories and tales from the Civil Rights movement will be able to appreciate this one. Pat Conroy, as usual, paints such colorful and well detailed pictures of the South as it really is, warts and all. At the same time, he also showcases everything that is wonderful about the spirit of people and the cultural richness of the area. Conroy's book, The Lords of Discipline included, are pretty much the clearest idea of life in the Lowcountry that you can get without actually being present in that time and place.
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 121 more book reviews
Great book. Another wonderful Conroy read!!
reviewed The Lords of Discipline on + 106 more book reviews
I just finished this book.
I want to pick up another to read. But I know no matter what that book is it will pale in comparison with this one.
I have loved every Pat Conroy book I have ever read and I have read them all except The Boo and South of Broad he writes so few books I feel that I have to spread them out, savor them over the years like a collection of fine priceless wines.
The Prince of Tides has always been one of my top five all time favorite books I made the mistake of watching the movie right after reading the book and have never been so disappointed in anything in my life. Comparing the movie to the book was like comparing a meal of canned veggies and canned sausages to a five star meal at one of the worlds best restaurants. The movie was an insult to the book.
But The Lords of Discipline has surpassed even my passion for The Prince of Tides. When was the last time you read a book and stopped and asked yourself How can anyone write with this much feeling, strength and compassion? This book was one of those rare books that could have gone on forever for several thousand pages and you would never tire of the story.
I am sure several women might be turned off by the title and description of this book- the life of cadets in a military college but the book is SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. This book is incredible and you will cheer for the heros and despise the villains. You will laugh aloud at the humor and you will scream and the injustice. I have never read a book filled with so much passion. This is ONE GREAT BOOK!!!